Preferred Representational System

The representational system that a person uses most habitually and comfortably to process and communicate their experience. A person with a visual preference tends to think in images, speak quickly, and use visual predicates ('I see what you mean'). An auditory preference is reflected in sensitivity to tone, rhythm, and sound-based language ('That rings a bell'). A kinesthetic preference manifests as a focus on feelings, slow speech, and tactile language ('I feel good about this'). Identifying and matching a person's preferred system is a foundational rapport skill.